Russia seeks return of adopted boy in US after brother's death

Russia's government insisted on the return of a two-year-old brother of a
toddler who died after being adopted by US parents, threatening an
international tug-of-love and diplomatic spat with Washington.

Mr Astakhov said Laura Shatto's access to two-year-old Kirill had been limited, and the boy had not been harmedPhoto: AFP

Pavel Astakhov, Russia's children's rights ombudsman, said that Kirill Kuzmin – known to his adoptive parents as Kristopher – must be removed from the family in Gardendale, Texas, and sent back to Russia.

The ombudsman has since backtracked and admitted the cause of the boy's death is not yet known, but the announcement triggered frenzy in Moscow where politicians rushed to condemn the United States for "assassinating another Russian child".

Mr Astakhov upped the ante on Wednesday, saying that he had received a letter from the biological mother of the two adopted Russian boys saying she wanted Kirill back "so that he didn't die like his brother".

The woman – who lost her children because of a drink problem - was also shown on a tabloid website with strong government links pleading for President Vladimir Putin to intervene. "I've changed my ways, I can't allow my second child to also perish," she said.

Russia would insist on the boy Kirill being returned to his homeland, Mr Astakhov said. "Whether it happens or not will depend on how persistent we are," he said. "He is a Russian citizen. Besides his relatives, there is already a whole queue of people wishing to adopt him."

Laura and Alan Shatto, the US couple who adopted the two Russian boys, have refused to comment on the case, which is still under investigation by state authorities in Texas.

The law was a retaliatory response to US legislation passed the same month which prevents alleged human rights abusers from Russia receiving US visas.

Pro-Kremlin MPs said this week that the death of Max Alan Shatto in Texas showed the adoption ban was necessary.

Police and child protection workers in Texas have said that allegations of abuse against the boy are being investigated. They expressed concern that Russian officials accused the adoptive mother of murder before autopsy results have been received.

Mr Astakhov said Laura Shatto's access to two-year-old Kirill had been limited, and the boy had not been harmed.

Also on Wednesday, Russia's foreign ministry said it was "seriously alarmed" by the fate of a Russian boy adopted by a US lesbian couple, who had hidden their sexuality from Russian authorities.

The ministry said the couple had split up, drawing the boy into a "morally doubtful" conflict about his custody which was "causing damage to his psychological health".